Your comment reminded me of this story that I saw the headline of the other day . . .
Marriage bill excludes gays
Senate gives tentative OK; foes call measure mean, redundant
04/15/2003
AUSTIN – Texas would join states that refuse to recognize same-sex civil unions or marriages under a "defense of marriage" bill tentatively approved Monday by the Senate.
The action came despite arguments by opponents that the prohibition is not needed because Texas law already bars the state from issuing marriage licenses to homosexual couples and from recognizing same-sex unions performed in other states.
Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, author of the bill, said that despite the current restrictions, the state still needs to make clear that the heterosexuality of marriage will be protected while same-sex unions won't.
"I believe Texas should adopt as its public policy the traditional marriages between one man and one woman, and that this state should not recognize civil unions between members of the same sex entered into in Vermont and possibly other states in the future," Mr. Wentworth said. Vermont is the only state that allows same-sex civil unions.
The legislation was approved on a voice vote, with final passage expected Tuesday. A similar bill has passed a House committee and is awaiting action by the full House.
Mr. Wentworth said his legislation was prompted by the federal Defense of Marriage Act passed by Congress in 1996 that invited states to pass laws against same-sex marriages.
"So far, 36 states have done this," the senator said, insisting there was no reason for Texas not to join the list. He also noted that state law does not specifically address civil unions.
But Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, argued the measure is a misguided attempt to fix a problem that does not exist.
"Some people would say this is just mean-spirited and directed at an element of society that just wants to be left alone, go to work and pay taxes. They are not really creating problems for anybody," he said, noting that state law already prohibits same-sex marriages.
"This will be used to persecute and condemn people who are doing nothing wrong. I really question why you are doing this."
Mr. Whitmire noted that when a gay couple from Beaumont tried to get a divorce in state court last month, Attorney General Greg Abbott successfully petitioned a state judge to reverse his earlier decision to grant the divorce. The couple had a civil union performed in Vermont last year.
Mr. Abbott's office cited the Texas Family Code, arguing that since the state does not recognize same-sex marriages and civil unions, it could not grant a divorce to a homosexual couple.
"The attorney general took action to prevent recognition of same-sex marriages," Mr. Whitmire said.
To Mr. Wentworth's argument that 36 states have passed such a law, the Houston Democrat said, "Forty-five states already have an income tax, and I haven't seen anyone yet say we ought to have an income tax, too."
Besides the restrictions against same-sex marriages, the bill also would prohibit legal protections, benefits or marital responsibilities from being granted to such couples. The measure does not affect companies that provide health insurance and other benefits to same-sex partners.
E-mail tstutz@dallasnews.com